from Powderhorn@beehaw.org to technology@beehaw.org on 29 Jun 2025 15:22
https://beehaw.org/post/20844708
Dozens of YouTube channels are mixing AI-generated images and videos with false claims about Sean “Diddy” Combs’s blockbuster trial to pull in tens of millions of views on YouTube and cash in on misinformation.
Twenty-six channels generated nearly 70m views from roughly 900 AI-infused Diddy videos over the past 12 months, according to data gathered from YouTube.
The channels appear to follow a similar formula. Each video typically has a title and AI-generated thumbnail that links a celebrity to Diddy via a false claim, such as that the celebrity just testified at the trial, that Diddy coerced that celebrity into a sexual act or that the celeb shared a shocking revelation about Diddy. The thumbnails often depict the celebrity on the stand juxtaposed with an image of Diddy. Some depict Diddy and the celebrity in a compromising situation. The vast majority of thumbnails use made-up quotes meant to shock people, such as “FCKED ME FOR 16 HOURS”, “DIDDY FCKED BIEBER LIFE” and “SHE SOLD HIM TO DIDDY”.
How do people fall for this shit?
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I think we are in an era where people don’t care what’s real and what’s a lie as long as the lie is entertaining enough and validates their own thoughts.
Indeed! You just described US politics also. Both sides!
I don’t agree both sides do it to nearly the same degree, but yeah on the occasion I catch the left doing it, it frustrates me. So much stuff to legitimately be upset about and people are posting Teslas dropping folks off in a no parking zone.
I’ll even acknowledge that an unmanned electric car standing to drop someone off or pick them up is indistinguishable from parking but still it’s pointless splitting of hairs compared to gestures at everything.
Mhhmm yeah. If you don’t see both sides being equally ridiculous, there’s a good chance you’re blinded by bias for one of those teams.
Yeah, hot take for Lemmy. But absolutely true.
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